Nothing but Bad Luck

I said "bunny bunny" for October so I don't know what caused all this mayhem!

I missed a few days of school a few weeks ago because my throat was on fire and felt swollen, I could barely talk. Then a dog bit my butt (twice!) and I had to go all the way to Quito 3 times in one week, twice for rabies shots and once for a conference. Then we decided to get away for the weekend to hike in Cuenca and it POURED rain the whole time to the point that now the city is on orange alert for flooding. And now I'm super sick again.

BUT! I'm still smiling :)

That was the bad and the ugly but the good always outweighs the bad. While I was sick with the throat thing, my beloved teachers surprised me and came to check up on me and brought me two huge bags of "get well" fruit, (including bananas because they didn't know so I forgive them) and babaco!

You peel off the skin and make juice out of it and it's really yummy. I can't really compare the flavor to anything because it's so different, but if you happen to see it somewhere, try it!

The dog bite was not a big deal, it wasn't a very big bite but because it broke the skin and there was no way for me to know if the dog was a stray (and even if he wasn't, it's very unlikely he's had any vaccines in his life) I had to go get the rabies shots as a precaution. The medical office is in Quito and I can get there and back in one day so I'm not authorized to stay the night there. It takes me about 4 hours one way. Going there and back twice in one week for a very short appointment each time made me realize how much I don't mind long bus rides anymore. In the US I would definitely have complained being stuck in a car for 8 hours for one vaccination but here, it's just the way it is. You learn to accept these things and see the good in them. There's always a pretty view from the window, I have a lot of time to think and reflect, and sometimes nap, and when in Quito, eat as the Quitenos do. I also got to visit my favorite host family the second time and Sonia made me ceviche and I got to play with Aylin, who is growing up so fast!

Then I headed back to Quito to give trainings to some teachers, which was equally exhausting as it was rewarding but it was also really nice to be able to hang out with some other volunteers in the evenings.

we stage candid photos

The weekend in Cuenca was beautiful despite the rain. That city has everything! Breweries, beautiful churches, ethnic foods, bagels, and really nice people. I met one of my favorite girlfriends, Kat there to hike and see some Incan ruins and she's just the best! I always have a great time hanging out with her no matter what we're doing and she even saved me from near death during the hike when I found the only puddle of quicksand mud in the park and sunk to my knee and couldn't get out. Then we went out dancing each night in different fun places and met really nice people. We wouldn't allow the rain on our parade.

I just wanna hug her face

And now I am sick as a dog. I did my research and I have all the symptoms of ebola minus vomiting and internal bleeding. So, on the bright side, I don't have ebola. I thought I was getting better yesterday and then last night I put myself to bed at 9 and laid there shivering and sweating for 2 hours and today my whole body hurts. I'm going to school tomorrow if it kills me! Especially because I'm realizing how little time I have left here. I can't keep spending it in my apartment under the blankets.

Next month, going to Peru! In 57 days, I'll be home for Christmas! And in less than 5 months I'll be finished with service. $hit's getting real. I've started planning my post-service travels, including Colombia with my sister! Ahhh it's all so exciting and unreal!

Cross your fingers for a luckier second half of October.

Sending all my love <3<3<3<3------->>>>>

p.s. caught Sly on camera

ugly lil guy, isn't he?